Category: Middle Ages / Medieval (476-1454)

In the history of Europe, the Middle Ages or Medieval Period lasted from the 5th to the 15th century. It began with the fall of the Western Roman Empire and merged into the Renaissance and the Age of Discovery. The Middle Ages is the middle period of the three traditional divisions of Western history: classical antiquity, the medieval period, and the modern period. The medieval period is itself subdivided into the Early, High, and Late Middle Ages.

The Viking and the Runaway Emperess by Sarah Rodi

On By TracyIn Medieval (1066-1540), Middle Ages / Medieval (476-1454), Standalone Title, Tracy's Reviews, VikingLeave a comment

The Viking and the Runaway EmpressThe Viking and the Runaway Empress by Sarah Rodi

Tracy’s rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: Standalone

Release Date: February 20, 2024

Four winters ago, after Princess Livia was betrothed to the Byzantine Emperor Alexios, she fled her father’s kingdom in Rome and took refuge in her late mother’s castle in Saxony, hoping the emperor would forget about her. But unfortunately, her reckoning has come in the form of Northman, Destin, the commander of the emperor’s Varangian Guard. He has come to bring her to her future husband in Constantinople, but he also bears sad news, her father the king has been gravely injured and is dying. He tells her that her uncle Lothair is on his way to find her and most likely kill her as she is the only other claimant to her father’s throne. He insists they leave immediately and with good reason, as Lothair will stop at nothing to claim the crown. Destin is unlike any man she has ever known and despite his gruff exterior, he is a good man, whom she can’t stop thinking about, but they have no future, she is promised to his employer and royalty. So she should forget about him, right?

Destin was born with a paralyzed arm and subsequently left in the woods to die. Thankfully, he was found by a childless couple and raised as their own. Destin has overcome his infirmity and proven himself a fierce mercenary, climbing up the ranks and reaching the position of commander. Alexios has promised him titles and riches when he delivers the princess to him, which would mean the achievement of his dreams, but there is something about Livia. He finds himself wanting more, even if it is impossible, given their stations, but the heart wants what it wants. Hopefully he can fulfill his mission, claim his prize and forget about her. Ah, if it were only that easy…

This was such a great story, it is part road trip, part adventure story, and part forbidden love, which makes for a quick and delightful read! The book has something for everyone, class different, sort of enemies to lovers, forbidden love, life/death moments, loss, sacrifice, duty, dreams, fears, steamyish love scenes, heartache, and finally a happy ending that didn’t seem possible until it was as well as a very sweet epilogue. So why not five stars? Well, as great as this book was, it was set in the 12th century and it didn’t read like a medieval, there was way too much modern verbiage which ended up ripping this reader out of the era and gave the book a contemporary in period dress feel. I would still recommend the book because even with the modern lingo, it was still an amazing read.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.*

The Laird’s Kiss by Eliza Knight

On By TracyIn Book Publicity, Medieval (1066-1540), Middle Ages / Medieval (476-1454), Part of a Series, Scottish/Highlander, Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

The Laird's Kiss (Highland Lairds #2)The Laird’s Kiss by Eliza Knight

Tracy’s rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: Highland Lairds, #2

Release Date: January 30, 2024

Lady Rhiannon Darce’s parents died when she was just a little girl and she was sent to live with her cousin Douglass at Appleby Castle, her uncle’s holding. But when Douglass went to Scotland to marry, Rhiannon’s brother Adam showed up at Appleby Castle while her uncle was away and took her back to her home, Darce Castle, and promptly demanded that she marry a man of his acquaintance, a merchant to whom Adam owed a great deal of money. When Rhiannon refuses to comply, he locks her up and refuses to out of her room until she agrees. Unbeknownst to Adam, Rhiannon manages to send three letters to Douglass begging for help, but when no help arrives, she figures she will just have to save herself. She manages to trick Adam into letting her out of her room for a walk, where she intends to get the lay of the land to plan her escape. Once outside the castle walls, she tests the guard with her by wandering deeper into the forest looking for her cat, it is there that she comes face to face with a handsome giant of a man, who has her cat and introduces himself as Ian Sinclair, brother-in-law of her cousin Douglass, and tells her he is there to take her to Douglass. Rhiannon isn’t sure she can trust him, but what choice does she have? And so starts an adventure unlike anything she ever imagined, one that could lead to either seeing her returning to her brother or finding the love of a lifetime.

Ian Sinclair is the second-born triplet of the Sinclair clan, a warrior, Laird of Balla Dorcha on Orkney Isles, and a confirmed bachelor because, unlike his brothers, Ian has no desire to set down roots and is always looking for his next adventure. This is exactly why he agreed to rescue Douglass’ cousin, but he had no idea the effect Rhiannon would have on him. As they race from England to the highlands while trying to stay ahead of her brother, the more he falls for her and begins to wonder if he could settle down for her. But before he can examine his feelings, he needs to get her to his brother’s holding, and with her brother nipping at their heels, and war with England brewing, it will be a miracle if they survive the journey.

This was a well-written, action-packed story with wonderful characters and lots of fun banter between Rhiannon and Ian. The story picks up where the previous book ends and is a non-stop adventure filled with sword fights, a treacherous ride, stolen kisses, danger at every turn, battles, confrontations with rival clans, steamy love scenes, a mischievous cat, and a HEA that didn’t seem possible. I loved Rhiannon and Ian and their journey to HEA was a fast, fun read. This is the second book in the series but it could easily be read as a standalone title with no problem. I would be happy to recommend this title to my fellow medieval Highlander readers and I’m looking forward to Alistair’s story.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.*